Without a relationship to teaching authority, the Temple, the ordained sacrifice of the Passover, and the Priesthood, the Samaritans worshiped a God they no longer knew.
Catholic Pharisees and Protestant Samaritans
Tag: Catholicism
The Four Oracles of Balaam
[Num 23:7-10] 7 And Balaam took up his discourse and said, "From Aram Balak has brought me, the king of Moab from the eastern mountains: 'Come, curse Jacob for me, and come, denounce Israel!' 8 How can I curse whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce whom the LORD has not denounced? 9 … Continue reading The Four Oracles of Balaam
The Necessity of Religious Culture
Tanner Guzy recently tweeted this: https://twitter.com/tannerguzy/status/1128513667190779904 I actually disagree with him quite a bit here. Religious cultures succeed because they can build systems and institutions that have non-materialistic fuel as a major impetus for their maintenance and the enthusiasm of their stewards. Think of it this way, using the example of caring for the poor … Continue reading The Necessity of Religious Culture
Ahaz & the Altar
King Ahaz ordered the removal of a portico on the house of the Lord, presumably to use its materials as payment to the king of Assyria. This was a remarkably desperate act; cannibalizing a beautification to the house of the Lord, searching for something of worldly value to sell. He had already given virtually all … Continue reading Ahaz & the Altar
On Authority and Scandal
Two things are simultaneously true about the current Catholic Church scandals: 1) Scandal is a constant part of human life, especially of large organizations; 2) The present crisis in the Catholic Church is unique and unprecedented and deserves not to have its uniqueness be muddied. Scandal is of a particularly evil quality when the institution … Continue reading On Authority and Scandal
Does God will a Multitude of Denominations?
Much has been made of Francis' joint document with Sheik Ahmad el-Tayeb of al-Azhar fame. That document created sparks in conservative and traditional outlets primarily because of a particular statement: "The pluralism and the diversity of religions, color, sex, race and language are willed by God in his wisdom, through which he created human beings…" … Continue reading Does God will a Multitude of Denominations?
Catholic Socialism, Stalwart of Liberalism
I happened across a set of policy proposals by one Matt Bruenig, whose wife Elizabeth has a fairly well known (at least in Catholic circles) writing gig at the Washington Post. So, I decided to put up a pithy statement of my own thoughts on it. It represents the absolute best of intentions thoroughly undermined … Continue reading Catholic Socialism, Stalwart of Liberalism
